Millionaire Timeline Calculator
When will I have $1M?
How long until you reach $1,000,000? Enter what you have, what you can add each month, and a return assumption. The answer is shown in both nominal and inflation-adjusted dollars.
Enter your numbers to see the math.
What this calculator does
It solves the compound-interest formula for time: given a starting balance, a monthly contribution, and an expected return, it finds the number of months until the balance reaches your target (default $1,000,000).
The formula
where P is your current savings, PMT the monthly contribution, i the monthly return (annual return ÷ 12), and n the number of months. The calculator solves for n when FV equals your target.
Worked example
Start with $10,000, add $1,000/month, at 7% real. That reaches $1,000,000 in roughly 27 years. At $2,000/month it is roughly 20 years. The single biggest lever is the monthly contribution — which is why the savings rate matters more than the salary.
Assumptions & limitations
- Default return is 7% real (after inflation) (Investopedia 6.81%; SmartAsset 6.5%; multiple sources ~6.5–7% (1928–2024)).
- Returns are assumed constant; real markets are volatile, and the sequence of returns matters — a bad sequence near the end can delay the goal.
- The contribution is assumed constant; most people save more over time.
- This is an estimate, not a forecast. BLS CPI long-run average for the inflation adjustment.
FAQ
What return should I use?
Why does the calculator show a lower number with inflation on?
What if my contributions change over time?
See the full context: How to make a million through index investing →